North East initiative unlocks support for tens of thousands of “hidden” carers
More than one in ten people living in the North East are known to be providing care for someone – the highest proportion in the UK.
Tens of thousands of unpaid carers living across the North East of England have unlocked crucial support over the last year, thanks to the launch of a landmark initiative. The tech-powered initiative was first rolled out across the North East in June 2024 and has already boosted support for 95,000 unpaid carers living in the region.
Delivered through a collaboration between thirteen local authorities in partnership with the carer-led community Mobilise, the initiative provides the North East’s vital caring community with access to an added layer of on-demand support, through services including an online community forum and tools to help claim financial support. This builds upon the support available through local carers organisations.
The North East has the largest proportion of unpaid carers in the UK, with more than one in ten people living in the region known to be providing care for someone – although the true figure could be far higher.
Digital services boost support for “hidden” carers
According to new research, more than a third of people looking after someone take over three years to recognise their caring roles, meaning many may not realise they are entitled to support. The North East initiative is unlocking support sooner for these ‘hidden’ carers: 4 in 5 (81 per cent) people accessing the online services had not previously engaged with any support.
The online services, which can be accessed 24/7 as well as remotely, are also empowering local carers to access ‘out of hours’ support. More than half (58 per cent) of those who have found support through the initiative are relying on the services outside of working hours.
Steph Downey, Strategic Director for Integrated Adults and Social Care Services (DASS) at Gateshead Council, said of the initiative: “We are so proud of the impact this initiative is having for unpaid carers within our community. Reaching and supporting those with caring responsibilities is a vital priority – and we’re especially keen to reach more ‘hidden’ carers who may not have accessed support before. This partnership is helping us to identify these people sooner and provide on-demand support to anyone who is caring in the region.”
The impact of the North East initiative highlights the need for increased awareness of different caring roles, and the role which round-the-clock support can play in widening access to support. For example, those who juggle caring with paid jobs or care full-time may be restricted around the times that they can access support.
Peter from Redcar and Cleveland who cares for his wife, said: “I’ve been married to my wife for 42 years, and cared for her for the past 11 plus years. I’ve juggled my caring role with full time work for the majority of this time. Currently, I spend all the hours of the day that I can visiting my wife whilst she’s in hospital. This means that dinner time is the only real chance I get to focus on myself and reflect. Being a carer isn’t easy, and it can be during these quieter moments that I’ve found myself struggling in the past and looking for support. This is when having a support network available 24/7 can make all the difference. Other Mobilise users and care experts – people with first-hand experience of what I’m going through – are always there to reply, relate, and urge me on.”
Suzanne Bourne, Head of Carer Support at Mobilise, added: “Not everyone identifies as a carer. But everyone who looks after someone should be aware of their entitlement to support, and be able to access services that fit around their schedules and needs. It’s so encouraging to see the impact that our online community is having across the North East, especially for those who are accessing support for the first time. It’s a privilege to be working with the Local Authorities, Carers Centres’ and caring organisations across the region to help more carers feel seen and supported.”
The digital services are available across all of the following North East regions: South Tyneside, Northumberland, County Durham, Cumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Hartlepool, North Tyneside, Gateshead, and Darlington.
To access the support, see here. For more information about the Mobilise community, see here.